Somewhere along the way....

Wow, has it really been over 6 months since I've written anything.  I must say I am in awe of the people who do this daily or heck even weekly.  Where do you people find the time and inspiration to keep it up?!?!?!  

Anyway, my whole purpose of this blog was to record my journey on finding the person God has created and figure out where I lost her on the way here.  God did not make me to abuse my body and treat it with disrespect.  I'm working on changing that but let's face it.  I live in a small town in Iowa in a community where change is very difficult to do and accept.  This requires me trying to change the way of thinking that has been inbred in me.  Its all I know.  Now its time to fix it because lets face it, it is a flawed way of thinking.

I strive to live a healthy life.  I want to get off alot of my medications and just feel better about myself.  I have done little in the last few months to give me any reason to be proud of myself.  That is until the last few weeks.  I came down with nasty sinus infections this winter which pretty much put a stop to my regular exercise.  After that came the busyness of work, taking care of a home, and a mother.  These are not excuses, but just reasons.  Well enough was enough.  I still had some sessions left with my personal trainer and it was time to get back into it.  I tell you no lies when I say it was harder to get started this time then it was when I started this whole adventure in general.

So I am back working out, doing exercises that leave my legs very stiff and soar and almost needing my mom to put my shoes on.  But I do feel better.  Am I as disciplined as I was??  Not even close but God is faithful and He hasn't left me and has put people in my life that are a constant encouragement.  Just this week, I had just finished working out with my trainer and was on the verge of total colapse and pretty sure I was going to die soon, when this older gentleman at the gym, he must have been 60 or close and probably was in better shape then I have ever been, says to me "You keep working out.  You are such an inspiration to see you working so hard.  It makes me want to."  At which my trainer says "She really is an inspiration.  She works so hard."  It almost brought tears to my eyes.  Between that and my manager has been so awesome about pushing me and encouraging me with this that I just can't give up.  Not to mention that now my sister is on board and really trying to be healthier.  

So the battle is on again and some days I tire of it but it is my life and a life that God has brought me to for my own good.  It is His way of helping me battle for my freedom of the chains that hold me in bondage.  

Happy New Year/Happy Birthday to me!!

First post of the new year.  I've struggled with what to write.  Ok, let's face it.  I've been struggling with what to write for quite awhile.  There hasn't been any new epiphanies or anything.  Oh to keep it interesting.  I mean if I'm bored by my life why would I think any of you would find it interesting.  But I'm not giving up.  My one New Year's resolution this year.  No giving up on things.  My other resolution started in July.  So would you call that an old year's resolution???

Anyway, the holidays were hard for the diet.  Put on a few pounds and haven't been as faithful with the exercise, but time to get my butt back on track.  I'm realizing that I need to really work on my diet.  I only have like 7 or 8 sessions left with the trainer.  Seriously, you want a good workout, get a trainer.  Or get mine.  I really think she enjoys seeing me suffer.  The diet is going to be really hard.  I am not good at planning because I will plan something then change my mind and not keep with the menu I planned.  Keep your fingers crossed that I do better.

I'm sure you are wondering if I have made any progress at all in the last 6 months.  I wasn't able to work out with my trainer for like a month and a half and when I finally got to meet with her again, she did a re-evaluation of my fitness level.  So I basically did these 4 things when I started to see where my fitness level was (I was at "physical fitness intervention needed immediately").  I did them again and we compared the results to the first time.  This is how it broke down:

Beginning evaluation:

• treadmill at a fast walk for 1 minute:  speed was 2.1 with a heart rate of 160
• sit ups:  11 in a minute
• bench press machine:  60 lbs., 6 reps in a minute
• sit and reach:  11 in.

Re-evaluation:

• Treadmill at a fast walk for 1 minute:  speed was 3.6 with a heart rate of 130
• sit ups: 18 in a minute
• bench press machine:  100lb., 6 reps in a minute
• sit and reach:  14 inch.

Along with all that my BMI went down as well as my body fat composition dropped like 3%.  Progress is getting made but I have to work even harder.  My workouts are getting way more difficult which I'm not really happy about because it is harder for me to complete them. 

So the mission continues.  I may take Tuesday off since its my birthday but we will see.  I definitely am going to work harder then ever.  I will reach my goal and God will make sure I do.  It is all on Him to help me push through.  He can do the same for you.